‘Grapes of Wrath’ Series Adaptation Set as First Season of AMC Anthology ‘Great American Stories’

AMC is launching a new anthology series, with the first season set to be an adaptation of the iconic John Steinbeck novel “The Grapes of Wrath.”

The announcement was made by AMC Networks ahead of their upfront presentation to advertisers in New York on April 9. The anthology series, titled “Great American Stories,” will focus on a “different celebrated work, historical moment, or individual narrative celebrating and highlighting the American spirit,” per the official description.

“For more than a year we have been searching for the perfect story to launch our next big television franchise, and we found it in ‘The Grapes of Wrath,’ which is as timely and relevant today as it was when first published in 1939,” said Dan McDermott, president of entertainment and AMC Studios for AMC Networks. “Our country is built upon so many unforgettable historic and dramatic moments, tales of bravery and courage, classic novels, short stories, and chronicles well known and never-before-told. As a network that began its life as American Movie Classics, this is the franchise we’re destined to bring to the screen.”

Rolin Jones will adapt “Grapes of Wrath” for Season 1 and then oversee the franchise for AMC, working with new creatives connected to each new season. Mark Johnson is also attached to executive produce, with Johnson currently overseeing AMC’s Anne Rice shows like “Interview with the Vampire” and “Mayfair Witches.” Both Jones and Johnson have overall deals with AMC Studios.

“We’re thinking about ‘Great American Stories’ like one of those resolute car factories in Michigan – bring in visionary creators, give them an assembly line of singular talent to build the thing, hand them the keys and get the hell out of the way,” Jones said. “This is Dan McDermott’s big, bold, torpedo bat swing at AMC. He’s hired me to roll a beauty off the factory floor every year. I hope to never have another job for the rest of my career.”

Jones is a three-time Emmy nominee — once for best writing for a drama series for “Friday Night Lights,” one for best drama series for “Friday Night Lights,” and the third for best comedy series for “Weeds.” Jones developed “Interview with the Vampire” for television and serves as showrunner. He previously developed and showran HBO’s “Perry Mason” series and has worked on shows like AMC’s “Low Winter Sun,” CBS’ “Life in Pieces,” and HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire.”

He is repped by UTA, The Shuman Company, and Johnson Shapiro, Slewett & Kole.

“Never have I felt more professional pressure than in accepting this challenge to help translate some legendary American stories to the television screen,” Johnson said. “I am utterly grateful to AMC for this invitation and truly indebted to Rolin for his trust in me. What a terrifying opportunity!”

Originally published in 1939, “The Grapes of Wrath” tells the story of the Joad family. Forced to abandon their Oklahoma farm due to the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression, they strike out for California in search of a better life. It was subsequently adapted into a film directed by John Ford and starring Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell, Russell Simpson, and more. Like the book, the film is widely considered an American classic and won two Academy Awards.